April 6, 2008

A non-smoker friendly nation

NST: KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s efforts at formal tobacco regulation began in the early 1970s when smoking was prohibited in cinemas.
Shortly after, smoking was banned in the hospitals, clinics and health centres of the health and defence ministries.
In the early 1980s, smoking was prohibited in air-conditioned train coaches and in buses, and direct advertisements of cigarettes were banned on radio, television and in government publications.
In 1994, the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations of 1993 came into effect, shortly after cigarette taxes were increased by 100 per cent.
In 1996, smoking was banned on all domestic flights of Malaysia Airlines and in 2000, on all international flights.
Under the government’s Control of Tobacco Product Regulations of 2004, smoking is prohibited in many public places, including entertainment centres, cinemas, hospitals, clinics, lifts, toilets, air-conditioned eateries and shops, schoolbuses, public vehicles and public transport terminals.
The list also includes airports, government premises, building areas used for any assembly activity, educational institutions and higher educational institutions, nurseries, floors with service counters in the buildings of banks, financial institutions, Telekom Malaysia Berhad, Tenaga Nasional Berhad and Pos Malaysia Berhad, shopping complex, petrol stations, stadiums, sport complexes, gymnasiums, religious places, libraries and Internet cafes.
Those who smoke in prohibited places, if convicted, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding RM10,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years.